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Head-to-head · Game Engine Software

Defold vs Cocos Creator

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Defold #5 in Game Engine Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Defold
Cocos Creator #7 in Game Engine Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Cocos Creator

Defold leads on 0 checks, Cocos Creator on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDefold · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresDefold · 3 of 4

Defold scores higher on our rubric for game engine software: 8.7 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

Defold is the better fit for free developers targeting many platforms. Cocos Creator is the better fit for open-source 2D/3D JavaScript teams.

  • Defold fits best

    Free developers targeting many platforms

  • Cocos Creator fits best

    Open-source 2D/3D JavaScript teams

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Side by side

Feature Defold 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Cocos Creator 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.5
Ranking #5 in Game Engine Software #7 in Game Engine Software
Best for Free developers targeting many platforms Open-source 2D/3D JavaScript teams
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Community, Docs Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Defold 3/4 · Cocos Creator 2/4
Visual scripting Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Multiplayer tools ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Mobile export ✓ ✓
Console export ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Source code model Source_available Source_available
Target platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, HTML5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Scripting languages Lua, Teal, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Java, JavaScript TypeScript, JavaScript
Our review
Pros
  • Free engine with desktop, mobile, web, and console deployment
  • Integrated editors, debugger, profiler, hot reload, and live updates
  • Lua scripting with networking and native extension support
  • Free, open-source editor for 2D and 3D game development
  • Supports JavaScript and TypeScript scripting
  • Publishes projects across web, desktop, and mobile
Cons
  • No visual scripting support
  • Console deployment requires approval from the platform holder
  • Multiplayer features rely on the Photon Fusion extension
  • Its scripting focus is limited to JavaScript and TypeScript
  • The workflow may not suit teams seeking code-first development
  • Publishing targets center on web, desktop, and mobile platforms
Our verdict

Defold is a free, source-available game engine for indie developers, students, and studios creating 2D and lightweight 3D games. Its workflow combines an editor, runtime, Lua-based game-logic scripting, build pipeline, and deployment…

Read the review →

Cocos Creator is a free, open-source 2D and 3D game engine with an editor-centered workflow for developers, artists, designers, and game planners. It combines scene composition, asset management, animation, physics, particles, and…

Read the review →
  1. DefoldGame Engine Software 8.7Free plan
  2. Cocos CreatorGame Engine Software 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Defold — where it wins

    • Free engine with desktop, mobile, web, and console deployment
    • Integrated editors, debugger, profiler, hot reload, and live updates
    • Lua scripting with networking and native extension support

    Where it doesn't

    • No visual scripting support
    • Console deployment requires approval from the platform holder
    • Multiplayer features rely on the Photon Fusion extension

  • Cocos Creator — where it wins

    • Free, open-source editor for 2D and 3D game development
    • Supports JavaScript and TypeScript scripting
    • Publishes projects across web, desktop, and mobile

    Where it doesn't

    • Its scripting focus is limited to JavaScript and TypeScript
    • The workflow may not suit teams seeking code-first development
    • Publishing targets center on web, desktop, and mobile platforms
  • Defold8.7/10 · Free plan

    A free Lua-focused engine with broad deployment, networking, and built-in development tools.

    Visit DefoldFull verdict →
  • Cocos Creator8.5/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source engine for JavaScript and TypeScript game teams targeting web, desktop, and mobile.

    Visit Cocos CreatorFull verdict →

More comparisons

All game engine software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update